Dedicated to all issues relating to children's literacy, literature, libraries, humanities, and the arts.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Classroom Kit on Becoming an American Citizen NOW AVAILABLE on www.ourwhitehouse.org

New Content Available in Our White House Paperback and Companion Educational Website

The award-winning art and literature anthology, Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out, is now available in paperback at a teacher and family friendly price. This new edition features a NEW poem by Nikki Grimes about President Obama's Inauguration, as well as a coordinating illustration by A. G. Ford. Nikki Grimes is the New York Times best-selling author of the picture book Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope (illustrated by Bryan Collier), as well as the Dyamonde Daniel series. Her latest book is A Girl Named Mister.
A. G. Ford is the illustrator of Barack (written by Jonah Winter), which is a New York Times bestseller. His latest book is Goal!, written by Mina Javaherbin.Classroom Kit on Becoming an American Citizen Now Available on Companion Educational Website

Supporting the educational outreach of Our White House is the NCBLA's companion educational website, www.ourwhitehouse.org, which expands the book content and presents additional ideas, activities, and discussion questions related to book topics.

JUST ADDED to the website is "I Pledge Allegiance: Classroom Kit on Becoming an American Citizen." Written by staff writer Helen Kampion, the classroom kit provides everything teachers, librarians, and parents need to discuss and help young people learn about the steps involved in becoming an American citizen---from the application process to the test and Oath of Allegiance ceremony. The classroom kit also includes several classroom activities, two sample citizenship tests (with answer keys), the complete text of the Oath of Allegiance, and resources for additional information.

Also included on www.ourwhitehouse.org is an American history resource and literacy center, a guide to presidential field trip destinations, an extensive young people’s bibliography, and information on civic education. This substantive educational website has been named one of the American Library Association's Great Web Sites for Kids.

More About Our White House
Conceived and co-created by The National Children’s Book and Literary Alliance, this outstanding collection of essays, personal accounts, historical fiction, and poetry melds with an equally stunning array of original art to offer a look at America’s history through the prism of the White House. Starting with a 1792 call for designers and continuing through the present day, these highly engaging writings and illustrations, expressing varied viewpoints and interwoven with key historical events, are a vital resource for family and classroom sharing -- and a stirring reminder that the story of the White House is the story of every American.

Building on the logical links between literacy, historical literacy, and civic engagement, the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance created Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out to encourage young people to read more about America’s rich history and culture; to think more about America’s future; to talk more about our nation’s leadership; and to act on their own beliefs and convictions, ensuring this great democratic experiment will survive and thrive.

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough introduces this creative tour de force, in which 108 renowned authors and illustrators have donated their poetry, prose, and art to help advance the cause of young people’s literacy and historical literacy. The illustrations, essays, short stories, presidential letters, personal reflections, and historical accounts in Our White House inform and entertain, offering a window on more than 200 years of American history.

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out continues to be available in hardcover at libraries and bookstores.

AWARDS for Our White HouseAmazon.com Best Book of the YearHorn Book Fanfare SelectionAmerican Library Association Notable Children’s Book for All Ages International Reading Association Teachers’ ChoiceNational Council for Social Studies and the Children’s Book Council Notable

The National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance Website

Ed Resources Now Available

Get kids excited about American History with the award-winning, interdisciplinary anthology OUR WHITE HOUSE: LOOKING IN, LOOKING OUT!

Read It on READ.GOV or...

All book sales profits benefit future joint projects of the NCBLA and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

"Exquisite Corpse" Education Activities!

The NCBLA and the Butler Children's Lit Center at Dominican University offer parents, teachers, librarians, and mentors a feast of information, activities, and discussion questions to share with all "Exquisite Corpse" fans!

"Exquisite Corpse" Contributors Meet with Students at DC Public Library